Catechesis by Rosary

Brother John M. Samaha, S.M.

Consider the rosary as
a catechetical tool. This thought arises from many bishops and lay
catechists and all the religious and lay educator groups in between.

Religious
educators and parents often comment that many today – youth and adults – are
lacking in Christian formation. A certain religious illiteracy has
infiltrated the family, school, and society in general. Children especially
lack a strong basic understanding of the fundamentals of our faith and of how to
pray. The challenge is clear for catechists at all age levels. In
addition, we must remember that faith and virtue are caught more than
taught. We must model what we teach. We must echo Christ; resound faith,
hope, and charity by walking the talk.

Catechists
and parents often seek new methods, programs, and books of religious
instruction, and we are at a loss for knowing any. But one sure-fired and
time-tested method is centuries old, tried and true, and easy to handle –
the rosary.

If
youngsters and adults learn the rosary, they are learning the basics of the
Christian faith as well as learning how to pray. They would know from
memory the Apostles’ Creed, the Our Father, the Hail Mary,
and the Glory Be – the latter three lifted literally from the Gospel.
By praying the rosary they would be reviewing the fundamental truths handed
on by Jesus and practicing the art of praying. By teaching the rosary we
help others to learn that prayer is simple, Biblical, done in union with our
Mother Mary, and leads us to become absorbed in the mysteries of the life of
Christ and of salvation history.

To know
how to pray the twenty mysteries of the rosary means that we know the basics
about the life of Jesus and his teachings – his life, passion, death,
resurrection, and ascension; the meaning of Jesus’ Incarnation and
Redemption. This challenges us to ponder what these mysteries mean for us
today. In reality the rosary is a compendium of the Gospel; it is the
Gospel strung on beads.

The rosary
is not a panacea; it does not solve all the challenges of catechesis and
faith formation. But it is one effective catechetical tool for teaching and
praying. In the past noted saints and teachers have utilized it
successfully.

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, was last modified
Wednesday, 08/13/2008 13:59:55 EDT
by
Ajay
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